Musings, rants, and raves on writing, balancing work and family, and life after the MFA

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Lunch Bunch

Lunched yesterday at Basai Thai restaurant in Oakbrook with three of our six critique group members. We check in daily online, but hadn’t ever gathered in the same place because we hail from all over the country—San Francisco, New Hampshire, Georgia, and the Chicago area. It was a rare treat to visit face to face and hear each other's voices and enjoy conversation that ranged from process to Vermont College to the trials of teens and dating.

Someone, maybe R, suggested we get together more often. I agree. Don’t get me wrong. I love, love, love the convenience of meeting online. Doing so allows the freedom to crit in my pjs at midnight sans make-up if I want to. But our coming together...coming together was good. Not only did it get this isolated writer out of the house and away from my keyboard, it connected me with other writers who understand the creative process so well there’s no need to explain what I do or why I do it. And there's no need to justify why I’m still working on the same book.

Yes, we need to get together more often. Ideally, we can find a way for all of us to gather each year. Perhaps an SCBWI national conference? Until then, I'm thrilled to have a face and voice to place with the names on the screen. Happy writing!

No comments:

Subscribe To

Follow by Email

Attention Teens!

Do you love to read and write? Do you love talking about your favorite characters? Do you wish you had a place to share your stories and get instant feedback? Your wish is granted! Join us during the school year for free monthly writing workshops at the White Oak Library District Lockport Branch. Want to learn more? Email me at kwinters16@sbcglobal.net.

My latest work

Available Now

About Me

Native Chicagoan, raised in the suburbs, married to my college sweetheart, Vermont College grad with a Master's in Writing for Children & Young Adults, former journalist, newsletter editor, public relations/marketing consultant, newspaper columnist. Now, an author, writing teacher, writing workshop leader, advocate, and mother of three active girls, two with special needs.

Explore the Forest

Surf on over to Edge of the Forest children's literature monthly for the latest book reviews, author interviews and more. My past contributions have included: Day in the Life (interviews with children's book authors about how they work) and What's in Their Backpack (chats with librarians and teachers about what's hot with their young readers).Editor's Note: links to The Forest are currently inactive. Stay tuned for updates on when you can safely return to the realm.